Care fee cap delays cost pensioners dear

MORE than 60,000 pensioners will lose out thanks to the Government’s decision to delay a cap on care costs, Labour claims.

Each one will be out of pocket by an average of more than £23,000 – with thousands paying far more.

The Tories promised a £72,000 cap on the amount the elderly must contribute towards their social care from 2016.

But its introduction has been repeatedly delayed, leaving families facing high bills.

On Tuesday, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he still wanted to bring in a limit, but it was unlikely until the early 2020s.

An analysis by Labour has now revealed how this delay has left a major dent in families’ finances – and how it will save the Treasury more than £1billion.

Barbara Keeley, Labour’s care spokesman, said: ‘The Tories legislated for a cap only to abandon it last year. Why should the public have any confidence that they will make good on this latest pledge?’ People in England must pay their all social care costs until assets including their home are reduced to £23,250. ÷ Services will be squeezed in towns with lots of elderly residents, the Institute for Fiscal Studies think-tank has warned. It says that budget cuts and the ageing society will put greater pressure on councils with an older population profile, leaving less money for services such as libraries and bin collections.